Is Genesis History?

One question, ” Is Genesis history?,” has been asked for generations, and for generations, the answer has been “yes, it is.’ However, that understanding has recently come under attack with the rise of Darwinian (molecules-to-man) evolution, and what used to be accepted as fact is now derided by those who have been ‘enlightened’ by what they think is science. If anyone disagrees with them and states that they believe the biblical account they are immediately met with disdain and ridicule. But are those who believe wrong to believe the Bible? Is Genesis History is a documentary dealing with that very question.

The Details

Is Genesis History was shown recently in a local theater. I had hoped that it would be well attended, and I wasn’t disappointed! In fact, so many seats were sold that they had to move the showing to a larger auditorium, and it was still a packed house. Although originally scheduled as a single-night showing, the success of that premier has prompted an encore performance. I also wanted to see how the actual science used in the documentary was presented, and that it would be full of the kind of information lacking in current textbooks. I wasn’t disappointed in that, either.

I have been directly involved in the natural sciences for decades (my dad was a geologist for Shell Oil so I started early), and I’ve heard all the arguments, both for and against, a literal interpretation of Genesis versus a ‘scientific’ understanding of the world. While following the ‘evolution’ of the debate – pun fully intended – for most of my life I’ve also been involved in church leadership for decades, so this was a great opportunity to see how some things were going to be addressed.

A Visual As Well As Intellectual Treat

Is Genesis History uses a documentary-style format, with some beautiful cinematography and interesting graphics supporting the substance of what’s being shared on-screen. The science explained in the documentary is sound and fairly comprehensive, but not too deep as to lose the audience. And the best part, as far as I’m concerned, is the impressive array of subject experts who were interviewed; people such as Marcus Ross, Robert Carter, Todd Wood, Kevin Anderson, Douglas Petrovich, Arthur Chadwick, and Andrew Snelling, among other notable PhD-level academics.

There’s a methodical progression in the presentation too – from the ground up, so-to-speak – building the evidence layer upon layer as it starts with a geologist, to a cosmologist, and folks in between. What’s interesting about this work is that they present the exact same information that’s available to the entire scientific community, but the results they get are in direct opposition to what modern ‘science’ would assume is true. In that difference is one of the main points of the documentary – the very nature (or paradigm) of how the evidence is viewed.

The paradigm difference is expounded upon a little bit further after the movie ends, during a brief Q&A session with three of the interviewees. It’s an interesting ending, and definitely worth sticking around for. They share some insights into what motivated them to get into their respective fields, what the current scientific landscape looks like, and they share their common hope of encouraging up-and-coming young scientists to join in the fight for truth.

Is Genesis history, and worth watching? You’ll have to decide that for yourself, but I enjoyed the presentation so much that I’m considering going to the encore performance next month! If you want to get a refreshing, information-packed and scientific look at just some of the information available regarding the origin of life, this movie is a must-see!